Infobip to fast-track development of APAC startups
The Asia and the Pacific (APAC), including the Philippines, was selected as the next focus region of the Infobip Startup Tribe. In an online conversation with The Manila Times, Nikola Pavesic, director of Startups, Infobip, explains why technology is opening tremendous opportunities for Filipinos to pursue their innovative ideas and how the Infobip Startup Tribe program could help kickstart their journey to success. The Manila Times (TMT): Please provide a brief introduction to the Infobip Startup Tribe program. Nicola Pavesic (NPv): Infobip Startup Tribe is a bespoke program aimed at finding and bringing together the world's most innovative startups to help fast-track their growth and development by empowering them with the right communication solutions and global resources. Over 200 startups have applied to the Infobip Startup program, which include startups from the Philippines and its neighboring countries, across Asia.
Source:Manila Times
November 20, 2021 18:31 UTC
Developments on the Kim Kardashian West robbery trial; Helen Mirren to receive SAG Life Achievement Award
Breaker: 12 to stand trial for Kardashian West jewel heist in ParisPARIS: Twelve people will stand trial in Paris over a $10 million jewelry heist targeting Kim Kardashian West in 2016. Kardashian West was badly shaken but physically unharmed. The alleged mastermind, Aomar Ait Khedache, wrote Kardashian West an apology from prison, saying he regrets his actions and realizes the psychological damage he caused. Kim Kardashian West AP PHOTOHelen Mirren to get actors' guild Life Achievement AwardThe Screen Actors Guild has selected Dame Helen Mirren as their 57th Life Achievement Award Recipient. With 13 SAG Awards nominations and five wins, Mirren is also the most decorated SAG Life Achievement recipient.
Source:Manila Times
November 20, 2021 18:11 UTC
Lawyer defending Quiboloy confident amid US sex trafficking case
Lawyer defending Quiboloy confident amid US sex trafficking caseApollo Quiboloy, head of "the Kingdom of Jesus Christ," a non-Catholic religious group and spiritual adviser of president-elect Rodrigo Duterte, speaks during a press conference in Davao City in southern island of Mindanao on May 23, 2016. “We are confident and ready to face whatever is hurled against Pastor Quiboloy and the Kingdom leaders. Days earlier, US prosecutors announced the filing of sex trafficking charges against Quiboloy, “international administrator” Teresita Dandan who is the top overseer of KJC’s operations in the US, and sect leader Felina Salinas. The KJC believes that the people who hurled accusations against Quiboloy in California are the same people trying to drag Quiboloy into the case in Hawaii, where its leader Salinas was charged with currency smuggling. He said that in the event their US counterpart requests for Quiboloy’s extradition, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) would step in.
Source:Philippine Star
November 20, 2021 16:50 UTC
Wealthy ‘Son of God’ a pal to many pols
The sect also publishes PINAS Global, a newspaper read by its followers in the United States, Canada, London, Hong Kong and the Middle East. But the “appointed son of God” is no stranger to controversy. In January 2020, US federal agents arrested three sect leaders on immigration fraud charges following a raid of KOJC headquarters in Los Angeles. The sect workers allegedly solicited donations for KOJC and were beaten and psychologically abused if they did not make daily quotas. The money raised, originally for the benefit of poor children, purportedly went to sect operations and the lavish lifestyle of Quiboloy.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 20, 2021 14:54 UTC
National organization honors 2021 model mom queens
National organization honors 2021 model mom queensMANILA, Philippines — The Model Mom Philippines organization, in cooperation with Best Magazine, honored five outstanding moms in simple rites at the Teatrino in Greenhills' Promenade Complex. ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Niña Taduran is Model Mom Earth 2021. Entrepreneur Mariel Ardiente is Model Mom Globe 2021. Jane Jarencio is Model Mom Tourism 2021 and as her title dictates, is immersed in efforts to the betterment of tourism policies in the country. Entrants can procure all needed forms and audio requirements from the Model Mom Philippines secretariat through mobile phone numbers +639261660195 and/or +639176185544.
Source:Philippine Star
November 20, 2021 13:11 UTC
'I was honestly inspired by Ate Angel': Liza Soberano on voicing out her opinions
'I was honestly inspired by Ate Angel': Liza Soberano on voicing out her opinionsMANILA, Philippines — Kapamilya actress Liza Soberano revealed why she’s voicing out her opinion in different matters. I know that we always say that every voice matters, and ideally that should be the case, but in reality, it doesn’t,” Liza said. Liza also said she was inspired by Angel Locsin's bravery and love for the Philippines and the Filipinos. “I was honestly inspired by Ate Angel Locsin. Liza said that every celebrity should do what she and Angel are doing for the people to know that they can’t just step on them.
Source:Philippine Star
November 20, 2021 10:35 UTC
U.S warns China over "provocative” attack on Philippines boats
Philippine Marines fold a Philippine national flag during a flag retreat at the BRP Sierra Madre, a marooned transport ship in the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. (Reuters)The United States on Friday called Chinese actions in using water cannon against Philippine resupply boats in the South China Sea "dangerous, provocative, and unjustified," and warned that an armed attack on Philippine vessels would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments. On Thursday, the Philippines condemned "in strongest terms" actions of three Chinese coast guard vessels that it said blocked and used water cannon on resupply boats headed toward a Philippine-occupied atoll in the South China Sea. Washington has repeatedly condemned China's assertive pursuit of its extensive territorial claims in the South China Sea, where Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam have competing claims. The United States has sailed regular naval patrols in the sea to challenge China's claims.
Source:The Standard
November 20, 2021 08:51 UTC
WB: 9 out of 10 PH kids age 10 can’t read
The bank defines learning poverty as being unable to read and understand a simple text by age 10. According to its calculations, the bank said this had worsened learning poverty in the country to as high as 90 percent by August. In 2019, or before COVID-19 struck, learning poverty in the Philippines was already at 69.5 percent. Lack of access to the internet and slow connection also hindered remote learning. In contrast, 40 percent of school kids with parents or guardians who had tertiary or college-level education engaged in remote learning.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 20, 2021 06:42 UTC
Philippines plans maiden green bond offering
Philippines plans maiden green bond offeringMANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will offer government-issued green bonds in line with efforts to maximize public and private funds in pursuing sustainable projects. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said yesterday the government would sell green bonds for the first time, expanding the financing options for raising infrastructure that emits less carbon. While Dominguez did not specify how much the government plans to raise from the maiden issuance, he said the plan forms part of the government’s three-pronged approach in climate financing. Last week, Dominguez confirmed that the Philippines also plans to tap the $10 billion global fund pooled by the Bezos Earth Fund, IKEA Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation. According to the Department of Finance, local firms issued a total of $4.8 billion in green, social and sustainable (GSS) bonds in 2019.
Source:Philippine Star
November 20, 2021 03:56 UTC
India allows export of 20 million Novavax vaccine doses to Indonesia
NEW DELHI — India has approved the export of 20 million doses of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India (SII) to Indonesia, according to a government document seen by Reuters and a government source. The shot, which SII calls Covovax, has an emergency-use authorization in Indonesia but not in India. SII told Reuters last month it could produce up to 100 million Covovax doses by December. ADVERTISEMENTThe government has also decided to allow the export of 10 million doses of a licensed version of the AstraZeneca shot made by SII, branded Covishield, to the global vaccine-sharing program COVAX, two sources said. India has so far given at least one dose to 81% of its adults and two doses to 41%.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 20, 2021 03:18 UTC
Members close ranks behind Quiboloy amid sex trafficking indictment
DAVAO CITY——The legal counsel of televangelist Apollo C. Quiboloy has branded the sex trafficking indictment against him and two others as “another vicious attempt to bring down” the self-proclaimed ‘Appointed Son of God’ and his church. “With the growing ministry and followers of the Kingdom comes also the growing opposition who are trying their best to destroy it and all the Kingdom leaders. While jealousy and evil will never stop, we strongly believe that good always triumphs over evil,” it added. jeSubscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy PolicyRead Next
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 20, 2021 02:43 UTC
ADB okays $600-M loan for universal health care
Asian Development BankTHE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $600-million loan to help the Philippines fund its universal health care (UHC) reform program. In a statement on Friday, the ADB said the Build Universal Health Care Program seeks to support the government's initiatives to improve the financing and delivery of health services and implement measures to monitor the performance of health service providers. "The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted existing constraints in the country's health care service delivery, which the government sought to address in its pandemic health response. "This new ADB program will help the government boost financing for UHC, expand the supply of health facilities and workers, enable the integration of health care providers and enhance health system efficiency," said ADB Principal Health Specialist for Southeast Asia Eduardo Banzon. It will support LGUs' efforts to expand health promotion and help improve access to health care workers and health care facilities, particularly in underserved LGUs.
Source:Manila Times
November 20, 2021 00:37 UTC
Vaccine experts advise teens aged 12 to 17 to get Sinovac first
Vaccine experts on Friday suggested that teenagers aged 12 to 17 receive the Sinovac vaccination first and then extend the vaccination program to cover children aged three to 11. The age limit for receiving the Sinovac vaccine was earlier lowered to three. After a meeting, Lau Yu-lung, chairman of the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases under the Centre for Health Protection, said that the committee advised arranging for teenagers aged 12 to 17 to receive Sinovac vaccination first. On the other hand, Lau cited the clinical testing results of administering the Sinovac vaccine to children and youngsters aged three to 17, saying it is safe and efficient. About 110 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine have been administered to those aged three to 17 in the Mainland.
Source:The Standard
November 19, 2021 22:55 UTC
IATF shortens hotel quarantine of fully vaxxed overseas Filipinos — DOT
MANILA, Philippines — Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat announced on Friday that the hotel quarantine period for fully vaccinated returning overseas Filipinos, including Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from “yellow countries,” has been shortened from five days to just three days starting November 22. They will be released after testing negative but are encouraged to complete self-monitoring up to the 14th day of their arrival. After testing negative, the individual will be released from the facility but is required to undergo home quarantine until the 10th day. Meanwhile, unvaccinated visitors shall undergo facility-based quarantine with testing on the seventh day. After testing negative, they will be required to undergo home quarantine up to the 14th day.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 19, 2021 22:26 UTC